On my journey to find trails near and far I found Saw Whet Trail which is pretty near and pretty lovely. This trail is just outside of the town of Lumsden. It's an easy hike that meanders along the creek bordering farmland. I've been watching the huge old barn slowly lose its fight with gravity... Continue Reading →
A Canada Day Memory
I spent July 1st at our park listening to bands, eating food from food trucks and enjoying the diversity that has become our city---so very different than when I came here as a little one. I hope that every person finds what they need and want in this new place. The evening ended with fireworks.... Continue Reading →
Sweet Things in Sweet Places
If you're headed to Toronto, Winnipeg or Regina and have a sweet tooth, check these out. Life is Sweet, Toronto is an establishment of sugary goodness and the mom-and-pop feel of the place got my attention. As for the health factor—Life is Sweet bakes up delicious, beautiful, simple and clean ingredient cupcakes that somehow carry... Continue Reading →
What’s On Your List
I was invited to a women-only event as a vendor/woman-owned business. There were ten vendors there. I was the only author. On the table, I had my most recent book, My List, My Rules, and the award-winning young adult Shepherd and Wolfe Mystery series written by my writing partner David Gane and me. The goals... Continue Reading →
Strength in Small Words
I woke up and did the thing I shouldn't do. I went right to my phone to look for something I was hoping for. The thing I wanted didn't happen for me. My immediate thought was 'Maybe next time.' That was a pretty optimistic shift in how I perceived the moment. Huh. My optimism hitched... Continue Reading →
Let’s Talk About the Weather and Patience
I just came in from a walk where I was dressed way too warm. This is a mistake I make in the transitional time. For those of you who don't know, that's the time when winter leaves and spring arrives---and then leaves. Annnnd comes back again. Around here it can be one of those difficult... Continue Reading →
International Children’s Book Day
Today, April 2nd, according to The Canadian Children's Book Center, is International Children's Book Day. They wrote "Today and every day, we are honored to support the reading, writing, illustrating, and publishing of Canadian books for young readers." Good on you CCBC. Agreed. Grateful for the reminder I am in 100% agreement with them. I'm... Continue Reading →
The Collegial Discussion
Although this post is titled The Collegial Discussion, it was mostly about me listening and not discussing at all. The visitor I recently had an educational assistant in one of the most diverse classes of my day. It's full of neurodivergent children, children with cognitive complexities, and some English as an additional language students---some of... Continue Reading →
Time Gets Away
This blog post is the precursor to the two very late posts I intended to post on time. But I didn't. I am not saying any of this from a place of complacency. I always intend to write at least one post a week but sometimes life happens. This is not the first time I... Continue Reading →
Gratitude
I'm sitting here with a great sense of gratitude for everything. I realize that it's impossible for me to feel negative emotions and gratitude at the same time. My brain doesn't work that way. I wonder if anyone's brain does? I can't sit waist-deep in the bullshit of my day and simultaneously point to the... Continue Reading →